Washing machine and drive therefor



Aug. 7, 1934. F. T. JOHNSON 1,969,649

WASHING MACHINE AND DRIVE THEREFOR Filed Feb. 18. 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 7, 1934- F. T. JOHNSON 1,969,649

WASHING MACHINE AND DRIVE THEREFOR I Filed Feb. 18 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 7, 1934. F. T. JOHNSON WASHING MACHINE AND DRIVE THEREFOR Filed Feb. 18. 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 @KJML fit-607" izgp',

g- 7, 1934- F. T. JOHNSON 1,969,649

WASHING MACHINE AND DRIVE THEREFOR Filed Feb. 18. 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @MLQJL Patented Aug. 7, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT; OFFICE Francis T. Johnson, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Chester T. M. Johnson and Martin F. W.

Johnson, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 18, 1931, Serial No. 516,672

7 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in driving mechanisms adapted for driving washing machines. One object is the provision of a unitary structure in which motive means, such as an electric motor, are associated with a driving mechanism, for example for a washing machine in which provision is made for drive in alternate directions. Another object is the provision of a simplified driving mechanism for changing the direction of rotation alternately after a rotation through a predetermined period or number of revolutions. Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, where- V Figure 1 is a sideelevation;

Figure 2 is an end elevation;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the mechanism, illustrating the washing machine in horizontal section; and

Figure 4 is a section on the line 44 of Figure 2.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, I illustrate a tub which includes a normally fixed cylinder A the ends of which are closed as by end portions A This cylinder or tub is held against rotation and I may be mounted for example upon any suitable supporting end frame members generally indicated as A which may ride for example on the rollers A on any suitable supporting surface A A indicates any suitable removable cover for the top of the tub, whereby access may be had to the interior.

13 indicates an interior movable or rotatable washing member, herein shown as including the foraminous cylinder wall B mounted in rotatable end plates B the flange or peripheral bands of which are shown as at B Each such plate may be provided with a hub 13 from which projects outwardly a stub shaft B which may rotate for example in any suitable bearing 13 mounted on or forming part of the frame A Mounted on the shaft B as shown in Figure 3, and held against rotation in relation thereto is the spur gear B".

As will be seen from Figures 1, 2 and 3, the

driving mechanism is mounted on asub-frame structure which may include for example the angle member C bolted or otherwise secured to one of the A-frames A and projecting at one end outwardly beyond it, as shown in Figure 2;

Resting on the angle member C and adjustable therealong is an angle member C which may be slotted as at C to receive adjusting securing means such as the bolts C The adjustment may be afiected as by the bolt C screwthreaded into the fixed member C mounted on the angle member C. This may be employed to tighten the belt drive pulley below described. Upstanding from the adjustable angle member C are the vertical angle members C C Spaced outwardly away from them are corresponding vertical angle members CT C which'may be arranged to rest upon or be supported upon the supporting surface A as by the longitudinally extensible channel members C C which may be adjustably secured as by the bolts and nuts C passing through slots C The, uprights C and C are cross-connected horizontally as by the sleeves C through which pass the bolts C 7 Associated'with the frame so formed is a motor D which may for example be mounted upon transverse members D D mounted on angle members D D which connect respectively the uprights C C and 0'' C The motor may drive, as by the silent chain D passing about the motor sprocket D a sprocket D mounted on a shaft D which rotates in bearings D D mounted respectively on the frame members D D D indicates a pulley the purpose fo'rwhich will later be described. D indicates any suitable manual switch whereby the motor may 'becontrolled.

Mounted on the opposite arm of the A-frame A as for example uponthe outward projection or lug E is a bracket E the upper end of which forms the lower half E of the bearing sleeve the upper half of which E may be secured thereto. An aligned bearing sleeve including the parts E E is mounted upon the bracket E ecured to thelateral extension E from the A-frarne. A brace made of the two parts E E extends from the member D to the bearing sleeve E The part E has the adjusting screw E screwthreaded in the lug E and engaging the upturned end E of the part E The two parts of the brace are secured together by bolts E E the part E being slotted as at E to allow for adjustment of the frame structure on which the motor is mounted.

Another brace is provided at the opposite side of the motor frame structure which consists of the threaded rod' F screwthreaded inthe lug F mounted near the top of one of the uprights 0 One end of the rod F engages the lug F on the bearing B and the opposite end is provided with a hand wheel F The hand wheel F may be m tated to adjust the motor frame structure for tightening the belts.

Mounted in the bearing sleeves formed by the parts E E E E is a shaft G. Secured against rotation in relation to it is a pinion G in mesh with the spur gear B on the shaft B of the cylindricalwashing member. Keyed on the shaft G is the intermediate pulley G Rotatably mounted in relation to the shaft G, and positioned one on each side of the pulley G are the loose pulleys G G Adjoining the pulley G is a worm G which may be formed on the hub of the pulley G Interpos'ed between the end of the worm G and the bearing sleeve formed of the parts E E is the member generally indicated as G which includes a hub portion G about the shaft G, in which the shaft may rotate,a downward extension G therefrom and an upward extension G Upwardly projecting from the platform G are the lugs G G in which is mounted a rod G Slidablealong tliejrodis a shift structure G including the members G G through which the rod passes. Extending outwardly therefrom are the'belt control arms G G G terminates in an eye G and G terminates in 'a belt engagingfin'ger or loop structure'G The shift structure G has a rearwardly projecting finger G underlying'a guide block G on the'table or platform G which'prevents the shift structure tilting'as it slides on the rod G The shift memberjmaybe moved'along the rod G as by the control arm H which is pivoted as at H upon the downwardexte'nsion G from thehub G and is guided nearits upper end in the slot G in theforward edge'of the table G 1. At its upper end fitis provided with an enlargement H ii'otched as'at H to receivetheilatchl-I pivoted as at H? upon or adjacent the member G The latch may be'moved into 'or'out of operative engagement'as by the manual handle H Intermediate 'the'm'ernber H is a cam aperture generally indicated as H Rotatably mounted'on the upward extension G is a worm'gear H in mesh with the worm G It is provided with an outwardly extending cam ,m'ember H adapted to engage the interior of the'cam ap'ertur'eor loop H Rotation "of'the worm gear H in response to rotation of the'worm G 'causes the arm Hto oscillate about its pivot H thereby moving the belt controljmechanism'inone direction or the other alongthe rod G if theabove described latchmechanism including the latch H is engaged. For-example, in Figure 4, with the gear H rotating in clockwise direction, the cam member H has moved thearrn H to the limitof 'its movement towardthe right, bringing thebelt'J onto the pulleyG v J indicates a belt shown as in Figures 3 and 4 as extending about the pulley G and also as passing through the loop-G of thebelt controlling arm G and about the pulley D J indicates another belt, shown in Figures 3 and 4 as passing about the pulley. G through the loop G and about the pulley D The belt J is shown as twisted being therefore adapted to serve asa direction reversing device inrelation to the belt J.

In the normal operation of the device, assume that the motor Dis constantly driving, the shaft D and throughit the pulley D The belts J J will therefore constantlybe driven but, so far as relates totheir eifect on the pulleys G G or G in opposite directionsowing to the tw'isting of the belt J. .In' the pos'itionin which the device is shown in Figure 4 thebelt'J is drivi'ng'the for'aminous cylinder B bf thewashing 'niachina's'ince it engages the pulley G which is keyed to the shaft G, the shaft G being in a constant driving relation with the washing machine. The belt J is driving the pulley G but this drive is without direct effect on the rotation of the foraminous cylinder B since the pulley G is loose on the shaft G. The worm G however, is constantly rotated by the pulley G and serves to maintain a constant driving connection with the worm gear H As above explained, constant rotation of the worm gear will oscillate the control arm H about its pivot H As the belt control structure moves left, referring to the parts in the position in which. they are shown in Figures 3 and 4 the belt J will be moved on to the idler pulley G and the reverse twisted belt J will be moved into driving connection with the drive pulley G The result will be a reversal in the direction of drive of the foraminouscylinder B which will be maintained until rotation of the worm gear I-I moves the cam l l into position to oscillate the arm H back into the position in which it is shown in Figure 4. By proportioning the size, shape and relationship of the cam loop H and the cam merit-- ber-H and by proportioning the size and pitch of the worm and the gear teeth a wide, range of control is possible. Preferably the parts will be so formed thatthe foraminous cylinder-B will be rotated through any desired number of rotationsin one direction. This rotation will be followed by a reversal, after the shift of the mechanism and the change of direction of driveand the fcram'inous cylinder will then be rotate for a similar number of revolutions, in the opposite direction. This drive is independent-of direct control or attention by the operator. The belt J is of sufficient width to overlap onto the pulley G when it is shifted to the left onto the pulley G thereby giving a constant drive to the pulley'G and worm G In order to provide any desired tension upon the belts or to compensate for stretching of the belts or replacement by belts of different size, I have illustrated an adjusting means-for the motor and pulley D as adjustable toward and away from'the drive shaft G, as by movement of the channel C in relation to the channel C and also by adjustment of the connection between the brace E and the member D Note alsothat if desired this alternate drive connection-may be interrupted. For example the latch H may be swung into position in which it is shown in dotted-line in Figure 2 betweenthe upstanding lugs H Theresult'will be to render theoscillation of the shaft H inoperative; so far as concerns the belt shift as the belts are then in aneutral position on the loose pulleys G and G For example the drivemechanism may be locked'in inoperative position and'tne tub may be locked against further rotation bymeans'of the latch .member H pivoted as at H", which may be rotated or dropped into position in en-' gagement with teeth of the spur gear 13'. The tubinay thus be held positively against rotation to permitremoval of the cover A and change of the wash and the like. h s

It will be realized that whereas I have described and shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departingfrom the spirit of myinvention. I thereforewish 'rny descriptionan'd draw ings to be taken 'as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic rather than as limiting me to myspec'ific showing.

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I claim:

1. In a drive mechanism for a washing machine which includes a rotatable part, a drive shaft mounted upon said washing machine structure, a driven shaft mounted upon said washing machine structure, a drive pulley and a driven pulley, motor means for rotating said drive shaft and drive pulley, a driving connection between said driven pulley and the rotatable part of the washing machine, a plurality of belts in normally constant driving relation with the drive pulley, both of said belts being adapted for drive engagement with said driven pulley, one of said belts being twisted to impart a reverse movement to said driven pulley when it is in driving relation therewith and means for shifting said belts, in normally continuous cycle, for alternate engagement with said driven pulley, and means for adjusting the driving and driven pulleys toward and away from each other.

2. In a drive mechanism for a washing machine which includes a rotatable part, a drive shaft mounted upon said washing machine structure, a driven shaft mounted upon said washing machine structure, a drive pulley and a driven pulley, motor means for rotating said drive shaft and drive pulley, a driving connection between said driven pulley and the rotatable part of the washing machine, a plurality of belts in normally constant driving relation with the drive pulley, both of said belts being adapted for drive engagement with said driven pulley, one of said belts being twisted to impart a reverse movement to said driven pulley when it is in driving relation therewith and means for shifting said belts, in normally continuous cycle, for alternate engagement with said driven pulley, and a sub-frame, mounted upon the washing machine, said motor means comprising a motor mounted on said sub-frame, a drive shaft rotatably mounted upon said subframe, the drive pulley being associated with said drive shaft and a normally constant driving connection between said motor and drive shaft, said sub-frame being bodily adjustable in relation to said washing machine.

3. In combination with a washingmachine, having a frame, whereby it is mounted, a sub-frame, power means including a driving pulley mounted upon said sub-frame, a second sub-frame mounted upon said washing machine, a driven shaft carried in said second sub-frame, driving means connecting said driven shaft with said first mentioned driving pulley, adjustable spacing members between said first and second sub-frames, whereby the two may be adjusted toward and from each other, the adjustment of said sub -frames being independent of the application of power to said driving pulley from said power means.

4. In combination with a washing machine, having a frame, whereby it is mounted, a subframe, power means including a driving pulley mounted upon said sub-frame, a second subframe mounted upon said washing machine, a driven shaft carried in said second sub-frame, driving means connecting said driven shaft with said first mentioned driving pulley, adjustable spacing members between said first and second sub-frames, whereby the two may be adjusted toward and from each other, the adjustment of said sub-frames being independent of the application of power to said driving pulley from said power means, and adjustable supporting members on said first sub-frame, whereby said frame may be in part supported directly from the surface which supports the washing machine.

5. In combination with a washing machine, having a frame whereby it is mounted, a subframe positioned upon said washing machine frame, power means and a driving pulley mounted upon said sub-frame, a second sub-frame mounted upon said washing machine, a driven shaft carried in said second sub-frame and operatively connected to a moving part of the washing machine, driving means connecting said driven shaft with said first mentioned driving pulley, adjustable spacing members between said first and second sub-frames, whereby the two may be adjusted toward and from each other, the adjustment of said sub-frames being independent of the application of power to said driving pulley from said power means, and adjustable supporting members on said first sub-frame, said adjustable supporting members extending to the surface which supports the washing machine and being adapted, in part, to support said frame thereupon.

6. In combination with a washing machine, having a frame whereby it is mounted, a subframe adjustably positioned upon said washing machine frame, power means and a driving pulley mounted upon said sub-frame, a driving belt between the power means and the driving pulley, a second sub-frame mounted upon said washing machine, a driven shaft and pulleys carried in said second sub-frame, belts connecting said pulleys with said first mentioned driving pulley, and adjustable spacing members between said first and second sub-frames, said spacing members being adapted to space said sub-frames in a plurality of adjusted positions.

'7. In combination with a washing machine, having a frame whereby it is mounted, a subframe adjustably positioned upon said washing machine frame, power means and a driving pulley mounted upon said sub-frame, a driving belt between the power means and the driving pulley, a second sub-frame mounted upon said washing machine, a driven shaft and pulleys carried in said first sub-frames, belts connecting said pulleys with said first mentioned driving pulley, adjustable spacing members between said first and second sub-frames, whereby the two may be adjusted toward and from each other without affecting the tension of the first mentioned belt, and adjustable supporting members on said first subframe, said adjustable supporting members extending to the surface which supports the washing machine and being adapted, in part, to support said frame thereupon.

FRANCIS T. JOHNSON. 

